Plaster block and partition construction formed thereof



F. M. VENZIE PLASTER BLOCK AND PARTITION CONSTRUCTION FORMED THEREOF Filed May 2, 1923 7 June 14, 1927.

4770 PI JK Patented June 14, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

FREDERICK ML. VENZIE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Application filed- May 2,

This invention, generally stated, relates to partition and like interior constructions and has more especial relation to an improved plaster block and manner of forminga partition, wall and ceiling structure calculated to receive a finishing coat of plaster.

Referring first to the plaster block it 1s desired to eliminate lathing, either wood or wire, thus reducing cost and lightening structure, and provide a relatively light block of porous material calculated to be sound proofing, fire proofing and temperature resisting in structure. Because of the relatively soft nature of such blocks they may be readily cut when desired to different sizes, and they also provide means whereby picture molding, base boards, door-trims and the like may be readily nailed to place thus reducing the cost "of erection of such parts. i

Referring now to the manner of erecting the plasterblocks it is the purpose to position same between uprights of channel iron and secure same with respect thereto by means of novel forms of attachment clips prior to application of finishing coat of plaster. In some cases I may however nail the plaster blocks directly to wood studdings.

The invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described and finally claimed.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, and in which: I

Fig. 1 is a face view of a plaster block made in accordance with the present invention..

Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary of-a wall or partition constructed in accordance with the present invention.

' Fig. 4. is a sectional. plan View of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional end view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of parts shown in Figs. 3 and 4..

Fig. 6 is aview of a clip prior to bending thereof, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a clip ready for application to a partition or like construction.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying 1923. Serial No. 636,059.

drawings one form thereof which is at resent preferred by me, since the same has con found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my lnvention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

lVith reference to the plaster block as shown in Figs. 1, and 2, and designated by numeral 10, the same is of rectangular construction and is bevelled as at 11 upon the face. The plaster block is made of the following ingredients and in the following manner. It has for a base calcined plaster with which is associated powdered cork and silicate of soda. Calcined plaster and cork both in dry powdery form and in the proportion of substantially four and one-half parts of calcined plaster to substantially one part cork are mixed together by the addition of sufiicient cool water to form a mixture suiticiently plastic to be molded to desired form, about two ounces of silicate of soda being added to mixture. The silicate of soda causing hardening of the block, serves to provide waterproofing characteristics and also functions to eliminate rapid suction when plaster is being applied to a partition or the like formed of said'blocks. Additional silicate of soda may be added to hasten the hardening process if desired. 'A block made in this manner is very light in weight, is porous,

is possessed of sound proofings, fire proofing and temperature resisting qualities and possesses lnany other advantages. A plaster block of the kind may if desired be reinforced by embedding therein, at the time of molding, a sheet of very loosely woven burlap. Thus a block is better able to stand the abuse of transportation and cannot readily break and fall apart. Such re-inforcement is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 and is designated 12. If a block for out-door use is desired I add to the 4 parts of calcined plaster and 1 part of cork-1 part of magnacite, A part of-chloride and 1 part of pulverized asbestos. For out-door use I prefer to have additional loosely woven burlap sheets adjacent the block surface.

I- will now describe one way of using my improved plaster block for interior wall, ceiling and partition work, reference being had to Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive. Secured to therebetween, end to end with the lowermost block resting upon floor 13.. Clips, best seen in Fi s. 6 and 7 are employed for retaining the-b ocks in this position prior to ap lication of surfacing material as paster. Such clips are stamped from metal as shown in Fig. 6, to provide a backing plate 16, pairs of spaced, oppositely disposed arms 17-18 and oppositely disposed intermediate arms 19. One of the arms 17 is bent forwardly and the other arm 17 bent rearwardl of the backing plate.l6, see Fig. 7, and the intermediate arm 19 between said arms 17 is bent forwardly and then bent at right angles as 19. In this position of parts a clip is ready for use the remaining arms 18 having their ends serrated as at 18, being perforated at 21 for tool insertion during a bending operation hereinafter to be described and a weakened line 20 being provided said arms adjacent the backing plate. With a block in position a clip is arranged so that its backing plate abuts against the plane face of a channel iron and the two short or intermediate arms bent into the channel of a support This may be readily done with a hammer. A suitable implement or tool is then inserted in the aperture 21 of each arm 18, each arm being bent around the weakened lines 20 into parallelism with arms 17. Thus a air of opposed U-shaped sockets are provi ed for block 'acommodation, see Fig. 4. The serrated portions of As many c ips may be utilized as desired the number shown being merely for 'illustrative purposes. While these clips suflice to retain the blocks in position I prefer tomake the connection rigid and for this urpose employ plates 22 adapted to stra dle the edges of adjacent blocks, see Fig. 3,

which plates are apertured for nail reception. With a plate in position as shown I drive a nail 23 through thepla'te into the channel of a support 14 to cause the point thereof to engage under the clinched part 19 of an arm 19, see Fig. 5. In order to I maintain adjacent edges of superimposed blocks in alignment I employ other cli s, see Fig. 3, having oppositely dis osed ngers 24 forming U-shaped sockets or engaging over said blocks see top of Fi 5.

Plaster 15 is'now applied to block surfaces.

The plaster fills the spaces between the block edges and the channel irons to form a bond embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable'in the statement of the mvention and the above description and while I have in the present instance shown and described the preferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention "or sacrificing any of its advantages.

IVhat I claim is:

1. A clip of the character prised of a backing plate having extended therefrom pairs of oppositely disposed arms to form U-shaped block receiving sockets and channel iron engaging arms arranged between said first mentioned arms some of said arms having serrated, block engaging edges.

2. A clip of the character stated comprising an integral structure having a thin, flat backing plate bent out from which at each end are oppositely disposed arms, each pair of arms forming a U-sha ed socket to accommodate a plaster block, and a channel iron engaging lip bent out from said plate between each pair of said arms and projected into one of said U-shaped sockets, one pair of said arms being weakened vertically considered along a line paralleling the juncture of a lip with said plate.

ing an integral structure having a thin, fiat backing plate bent out from which at each end are oppositely disposed arms, each pair of armsv forming a U-shaed socket to accommodate a plaster bloc and achannel iron engaging lip bent out from said plate between each pair of said arms and pair of said arms being wea ened vertically considered along a line parallelin the juncture of a lip with said plate, t ose arms which are weakened being each provided with an aperture to receive a tool for readily bending said arms about said weakened lines.

signed my name.

FREDERICK M. VENZE.

4 stated coininc 3. A clip of the character stated comprisproected into one of said U-sha ed sockets, one y In testimony whereof, I have hereunto I 

